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Smart Money podcast

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How Millennials can take their money beyond the basics. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on spring money tasks and debt strategies, using your tax refund to pay down debt, and how fear, doubt and uncertainty can derail crypto and investing plans.

How Millennials Can Take Their Money Beyond the Basics
You’ve mastered money management fundamentals, which served you well for a time. But a few tweaks to your finances will make a big difference as you approach your 40s and beyond.

Smart Money Podcast: 3 Spring Money Tasks, and Debt Payoff Options
Check on your money goals. Then learn about several debt payoff strategies, which vary in their effectiveness.

Use Your Tax Refund to Knock Down Debt, Lift Your Finances
Bringing balances down can save on interest, help your credit score and clear the path to reaching financial goals.

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt Can Derail Crypto, Investing Plans
Cryptocurrency investors commonly use the term FUD to describe what they see as unfounded skepticism.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Tips for appealing s denied health insurance claim. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on pet insurance and tax refunds, learning about your money in small steps, and big expenses you could face in retirement.

Tips for Appealing a Denied Health Insurance Claim
You have some recourse to get the insurance company to reverse its decision.

Smart Money Podcast: Using Your Tax Refund, and Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
If you’re expecting a tax refund, it might be late. Plus, thinking through health care costs for a beloved pet.

Learn About Your Money in Small, Manageable Steps
April is Financial Literacy Month.

4 Big Expenses You Could Face in Retirement
Retirement planning is part savings, part guessing game.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 ways to get money back when COVID ruins your vacation. Also in the news: 5 key numbers to know about savings accounts, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast, and red flags to look out for from personal finance influencers.

3 Ways to Get Money Back When COVID Ruins Your Vacation
COVID-19 still has the potential to derail plans, but you can protect the value of your vacation with some options.

5 Key Numbers to Know About Savings Accounts
Knowing about account minimums, fees and rates can help you maximize your savings.

Smart Money Podcast: The Fed Interest Rate Hike, and What’s a Credit Card Authorized User?
Higher interest rates may affect your mortgage and credit card payments, as well as everyday finances.

17 Huge Red Flags From Personal Finance ‘Influencers’
There’s good advice out there, as long as you can tell the good financial influencers from the shady ones.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Why rising car prices make gap insurance worth a look. Also in the news: The fed interest rate hike, and what a credit card authorized user is, how to apply for a credit card, and how to handle a windfall.

Why Rising Car Prices Make Gap Insurance Worth a Look
If your car is totaled or stolen and you owe more than it’s worth, gap insurance can help pay the difference.

Smart Money Podcast: The Fed Interest Rate Hike, and What’s a Credit Card Authorized User?
Higher interest rates may affect your mortgage and credit card payments, as well as everyday finances.

How to Apply for a Credit Card: Questions You’ll Be Asked
Applying for a credit card isn’t hard, but it helps to know in advance what information you’ll need.

‘Where’d the Money Go?’ How to Handle a Windfall
A windfall can either be a lifeline to short-term financial relief or a stepping stone to long-term financial stability.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How buy now, pay later loans could alter credit. Also in the news: An interview with Tori Dunlap, founder of the blog Her First $100K and the “Financial Feminist” podcast, when to refinance student loans, and how to get ready to pay $5 a gallon for gas.

How Buy Now, Pay Later Loans Could Alter Credit
No one should expect that their buy now, pay later purchases will instantly open the door to better credit.

Smart Money Podcast: How I Got Here: Tori Dunlap of Her First $100K
Sean interviews Tori Dunlap about how she got to where she is today and the lessons she learned along the way.

Should You Rush to Refinance Your Student Loans?
Private student loan borrowers, whose payments aren’t suspended and who won’t benefit from any federal cancellation, may be wondering if now is their last chance to refinance at interest rates near historic lows.

Are You Ready to Pay $5 a Gallon for Gas?
Honing your driving skills and paying with a rewards card can help you control gas costs in a time of uncertainty.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Combating inflation, and saving for retirement amid climate change. Also in the news: 3 ways to lessen the impact of inflation on your small business, 3 ways small-business owners will feel a fed rate increase, and how to get on top of planned expenses with sinking funds.

Smart Money Podcast: Combating Inflation, and Saving for Retirement Amid Climate Change
Things may seem grim, but you can still take steps to set yourself up for long-term financial success.

3 Ways to Lessen the Impact of Inflation on Your Small Business
Lessen the impact of inflation on your business by raising your prices, refining your operations and working with a financial advisor.

3 Ways Small-Business Owners Will Feel a Fed Rate Increase
The Federal Reserve plans to raise interest rates multiple times in 2022.

Get on Top of Planned Expenses With Sinking Funds
Mapping out big purchases in advance gives you time to save by adding regularly to “sinking funds” for each goal.